Suburban Police On Alert As Rittenhouse Verdict Nears

NORTHERN CHICAGO SUBURBS, IL — Suburban police departments are prepared to respond to any unrest in towns following the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial.

But so far, there's been no word of planned protests, Christopher Covelli, deputy chief and public information officer for the Lake County Sheriff's Office, told Patch. Covelli says authorities are continuing to "monitor" the area for any issues.

In Antioch, where Rittenhouse formerly lived, it's also been quiet, according to authorities.

"We don’t have any reason to believe that Antioch will be the scene of any significant gatherings related to the outcome of the Rittenhouse trial," Jim Moran, village communications specialist, told Patch in an email response. "The police department continues to monitor events and is prepared to adjust a response to any level of potential need in our community."

Last summer, following Rittenhouse's arrest in Antioch, the village issued a curfew order after social media posts surfaced regarding potential issues following his arrest.

"Over the last 12 hours, we became aware of several posts that may imply that our community may experience social unrest," authorities said in the hours following Rittenhouse's arrest.

A jury began deliberating Rittenhouse's fate Tuesday.

Rittenhouse, 18, claims he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot Anthony Huber, 27, and Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and shot and injured Gaige Grosskreutz, 28. The shootings happened amid protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020 following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man originally from Evanston.

Unrest and protests erupted across the country and Chicago area in the months prior following the George Floyd police shooting.

• Protests Planned Ahead Of Rittenhouse Verdict In Chicago

Meanwhile, at least two protests are planned in Chicago following the verdict. The Party for Socialism and Liberation - Chicago will "mobilize to show that the fight against racist vigilante and police terror continues," according to a Facebook post announcing the event.

"Everyone who believes in opposing racism, police terror, and facism should join us in the streets," according to the event post. If the verdict is read before 3 p.m. Tuesday, a protest is to be held from 6 to 10 p.m. outside the Federal Center and Plaza, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago. If the verdict is read after 3 p.m., the protest is to take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Chicago Activist Coalition For Justice is also organizing a protest to be held at 7 p.m. on the day that the verdict is read. The protest is to be held at 201 E Randolph St.

Both groups are in favor of a guilty verdict in the case.

"If Rittenhouse is found guilty, we will still mobilize to celebrate this victory, even as we know the struggle continues on other fronts," according to the post on the Party for Socialism and Liberation - Chicago Facebook page.

"The cops who shot Jacob Blake were never charged. Rahm Emanuel, who covered up the police murder of Laquan McDonald, is still Biden's choice to be ambassador to Japan. The killer of Anthony Alvarez is still on the force in Chicago."

• Chicago PD Cancels Days Off Ahead Of Rittenhouse Verdict

Rittenhouse is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree attempted homicide and two counts of recklessly endangering safety.

Schroeder said Monday that jurors could choose to convict Rittenhouse of lesser charges, including second-degree intentional homicide in the shooting death of Huber and attempted second-degree reckless homicide in the shooting that injured Grosskreutz.

• Rittenhouse Trial: Jurors Drawn From Raffle Before Deliberation

Deliberations in the Rittenhouse case began at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Twelve jurors will need to come to a unanimous decision on whether to convict Rittenhouse.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday that 500 Wisconsin National Guard troops would wait near Kenosha to deal with any issues once the verdict is announced.